5-day Pallishree Mela underway at P’khemundi
Paralakhemundi: The Pallishree Mela, an exhibition and sale of rural products, handicrafts and handlooms got underway here from Tuesday. The five-day fair, organised by the district administration under the leadership of DRDA Project Director Rajani Jani, was inaugurated by district Collector Mansi Nimbhal. A total of 125 stalls have been installed at the fest to highlight the district-level activities and promote sale of rural products which would enhance the economic standard of the SHGs, artisans and craftsmen, etc. Various cultural events including dance performances are being presented by several schools and institution of Gajapati district.
Odishi Music fest to be held in B’pur from Jan 21
Brahmapur: The GKCM Odishi Research Centre in association with the State Culture and Tourism Department and the Madhumaya Panigrahi Foundation would organise a three-day Odishi Sangeeta Utsav 2016 for the first time at the Town Hall here from January 21. Eminent singers would participate in the event, said GKCM Chief Executive Prof Jagannath Kuanr in a Press meet on Wednesday. Artists of the Bhakti Sangeeta Sansad of Paralakhemundi would perform in the inaugural evening. Artists Mahaprasad Kar, Sangeeta Panda, Ramachandra Behera, laxman Behera, Kalindi Charan Parida and Sukant Kumar Kundu would perform on the second day. Brahmapur Odishi Sangeeta singers would present Odishi Chhanda Champu on the concluding day.
500 Cong supporters join BJD in Ali
Ali: More than 500 Congress supporters, including former Zilla Parishad member and popular leader of Western Ali Dhana Ranjan Bose joined the BJD on Tuesday. On the occasion, a meeting was held at the Govindpur Kutchery field under the chairmanship of Ali unit BJD president Narayan Chandra Dhal. “Due to apathetic and step-motherly attitude of congress leaders towards people of Western Ali, I quit Congress,” said Bose. State Housing Board Chairman Pratap Keshari Deb gave welcome address. Zilla Parishad president Sridhar Swain, Bikash Das, Dibakar Nayak, Dasarathi Mallick and Kapilendra Mallick were present, among others.
Soro Sub-Treasury Office clerk held taking bribe
Baleswar: Vigilance officials on Tuesday arrested Senior Clerk Santosh Kumar Das at the Soro Sub-Treasury Office for demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 1,500 from Subhrajyoti Mohapatra of Mituani village. The complainant had alleged that his father, who had been working as a Chowkidar at the veterinary dispensary, Dehurda under Bhogarai block, died in 2014. After receipt of relevant gratuity paper from the State Accountant General, Mohapatra requested Das for withdrawal of the gratuity, but the latter demanded Rs 2,000. Das had earlier taken Rs 500. When he demanded the rest amount, Mohapatra reported the matter to Vigilance.
15 fishermen held for illegal fishing at Gahirmatha
Kendrapada: Forests personnel of the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary while patrolling for protection of Olive Ridley turtles during the ongoing mating and breeding season on Tuesday arrested 15 fishermen for illegally catching fishes after trespassing into the prohibitory areas near Ekakula. The officials seized two trawlers, a gillnetter along with five quintals fish catch, 13 fishing nets and other fishing equipments from their possessions, informed sanctuary forester Manas Ranjan Das. All the 15 fishermen were later produced before the Rajnagar JMFC court, from where they were remanded into jail custody as their bail pleas were rejected.